Just sent an email to the state rep with the bill attached. Also asked my dad if I can speak to his lawyer or if he knows any other attorney I can talk to. Don't want to just call someone randomly out of a phone book, but definitely want to speak to someone.

One of my best friend's girlfriends (now his wife) lived with a bunch of girls around our ug campus a few years ago. The foundation started sinking and the landlord refused to do anything about it. They told the university which sent inspectors out to the property. The university's legal counsel then sent the landlord a threatening letter that he had 30 days to fix the foundation or sever the lease and refund their paid rent $$ or the school was going to start litigation. He severed the lease and gave them their $$ back 30 days later.

Good to hear - Karak, you've been so helpful. We scheduled an appointment with the school's legal services for Tuesday. Will keep updating.

Just came across this post -

My grandfather was an A.D.A. and then a Judge for 40 years in Philadelphia (you mentioned PA, near the city?) - retired, but still doing pro bono work for the city. Last fall had his portrait put up in City Hall (big deal for long time judges).

If you need to get in touch with a law firm shoot me a PM. I can send him an email and get you contact within a day.

That could be helpful, thank you. Will see what comes out of the legal services meeting Tuesday and go from there.

please dont let him take any of your money. that bill is ****ing ridiculous.

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1

Stick it to this joker hard.

UPDATE: Met with school's legal services group today. They set us up with a lawyer that we'll meet with soon.

gogogogogo!!!

glgl

More of this epic saga please?

Similar situation happened to me a few years back when I was a student. My gf (at the time) and I moved into a two bed, top-floor apartment in the centre of town, with pretty steep rent. Stayed there for two years and left the flat in immaculate condition - landlord billed for for £3,000 ($4,500) based on maintenance charges and repair work. Ended up going to court over the charges, needless to say his case was laughed out and ended up costing him a small fortunate.

Moral of the story: The majority of landlords I have come into contact with are chances, out to increase their profit margins in whatever way possible. Many people just pay up to avoid confrontation, don't fall into the trap – please update!

A small fortunate eh??

What's with State College landlords blowing so bad? I use ARPM and they are horrendous. I had a leak in my bathroom ceiling where a toilet from another apartment was leaking and urine got all over my bathoom and kitchen floors. I told them it needed to be professionally cleaned and they sent a maintenance guy with paper towels and windex.

Who is the school legal counsel you use? I'm sure they will try to take my deposit as well.

Need an update on this.

Sounds like you got on the right track, but for landlord/tenant it never hurts to go to an attorney who specializes in it. Most states' landlord/tenant laws have statutory attorney fee provisions for the prevailing party. Obviously LL/T attorneys know this and know that if their clients are tenants chances are they don't have too much money to pay them, so they will either tell you you don't have a case, or take the case and not make you pay until you get a judgment/settle for attorney fees.

I just assumed any attorney in this case would either be working on contingency or pro bono (or on the school's dime as part of some legal aid program).